Existing comment:
Stones and Cones:
You are looking down on "the big cut," a lengthy area at the north end of the mountain that had to be excavated for the canal to reach the tunnel. Sorrel Ridge is made up primarily of Braillier Shale. This shale is a brittle stone that was difficult to cut through and could easily crumble and fracture. The tunnel builders needed to install a thick brick liner inside the tunnel so stone would not come down on the boatmen and mule teams.
Cone-bearing pines or conifers thrive in this area because they have shallow roots and do well in the rocky soil. |